Fluid dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A fluid dispenser having a housing and a pump action fluid discharge device. The pump action fluid discharge device is arranged to be actuated by one or more levers which are pivotally supported within the housing. When the or each lever is rotated about its lower end the fluid discharge device is urged towards a nozzle causing a single dose of fluid to be dispensed from the nozzle. Various mechanisms are proposed for converting the transverse application of force from each lever into a force along a longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device.

The present invention relates to a medicament dispenser and inparticular to a fluid dispensing device for use as a nasal inhaler.

It is well known to provide a medicament dispenser in which fluid isdispensed via a nozzle or orifice upon the application of a force by auser to an actuation lever or button. Such devices may be arranged todispense a single dose or may alternatively be arranged with a reservoircontaining several doses to be dispensed. An example of such a pumpaction spray is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,771,769.

The Applicants have now found that for ease of use and efficiency ofdispensing of fluid (e.g. as a spray) it is advantageous if the lever isprovided to the housing of a medicament dispenser device such that it ispivotally supported at a lower end of the housing but is capable oftransferring force to an actuating means that connects to the neck of afluid container within the housing. Ease of use benefits can arisebecause a so-configured dispenser may be arranged to be ergonomicallyamenable to the user. Efficiency benefits can arise because such anarrangement of the lever can provide good mechanical advantage even fora relatively compact dispenser device housing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a fluid dispensing devicethat is easier to use and in particular a device which provides a moreefficient dispensing of fluid.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided fluiddispensing device for spraying a fluid into a body cavity comprising abody structure including a housing, a nozzle extending out from an upperend of the housing for insertion into a body cavity, a fluid dischargedevice moveably housed within the housing, the fluid discharge devicecomprising a container for storing the fluid to be dispensed having aneck at one end and a compression pump having a suction inlet locatedwithin the container and a discharge outlet extending out from the neckof the container for transferring fluid from the pump to the nozzle andat least one lever to apply a force to an actuating means used to movethe container towards the nozzle so as to actuate the pump wherein theor each lever is pivotally supported at a lower end within the housingand the actuating means connects to the neck of the container.

By ‘at a lower end within the housing’ it is generally meant at that endof the housing which is distal from the upper end of the housing i.e.that end from which the nozzle extends. In use, the lower end of thehousing is therefore typically closer to the base of the container, thatis to say the base part of the container, which is distal from thedischarge outlet.

This has the advantage that a long lever can be used thereby maximisingthe mechanical ratio between the input force and the force applied toactuate the pump. In addition the use of a lever pivotally supported atits lower end is ergonomically more efficient than using a leverpivotally supported at an upper end due to the fact that a user willnormally grasp the dispensing device with their thumb positioned closeto the nozzle and hence in this case at the end of the lever. With alever pivotally supported at an upper end the location of a users thumbis close to the position about which the lever pivots and hence themaximum leverage is not obtained.

Suitably, the or each lever is arranged to apply mechanical advantage.That is to say, the or each lever applies mechanical advantage to theuser force to adjust (generally, to enhance or smooth) the forceexperienced by the container. The mechanical advantage may in oneaspect, be provided in either a uniform manner such as by a constantmechanical advantage enhancement, for example by a ratio of from 1.5:1to 10:1 (enhanced force:initial force), more typically from 2:1 to 5:1.In another aspect, the mechanical advantage is applied in a non-constantmanner such as progressive increase or progressive decrease ofmechanical advantage over the applied force cycle. The exact profile ofmechanical advantage variation may be readily determined by reference tothe desired spray profile and all relevant characteristics of the deviceand formulation to be sprayed (e.g. viscosity and density).

Preferably, the actuating means connects to the neck of the container bya collar engaging with the neck of the container.

In one aspect, there are two opposing levers each of which is pivotallysupported near a lower end of the housing and is arranged to act uponthe actuating means so as to urge the container towards the nozzle whenthe two levers are squeezed together by a user.

The or each lever may be pivotally connected to part of the housing.

Suitably, a pre-load means is provided to prevent actuation of thecompression pump until a pre-determined force is applied to the or eachlever. The pre-load means acts such as to prevent actuation of thecompression pump until a pre-determined force is applied to the fingeroperable means. The pre-determined force may thus, be thought of as a‘threshold’ or ‘barrier’ force which must first be overcome beforeactuation of the compression pump can occur.

The quantum of pre-determined force that is to be overcome beforeactuation of the compression pump is enabled is selected according tovarious factors including characteristics of the pump, typical userprofile, nature of the fluid and the desired spray characteristics.

Typically, the pre-determined force is in the range from 5 to 30N, moretypically from 10 to 25N. That is to say, typically from 5 to 30N, moretypically from 10 to 25N of force must be applied to the finger operablemeans before actuation of the compression pump is enabled. Such valuestend to correspond to a force which prevents a suitable ‘barrier force’to a weak, nondescript or unintended finger movement whilst readilybeing overcome by the determined finger (or thumb) action of a user. Itwill be appreciated that if the device is designed for use by a child orelderly patient it may have a lower pre-determined force than thatdesigned for adult usage.

In one aspect, the pre-load means is physically interposed between theor each lever and the container.

In which case, the pre-load means may comprise of a step formed on thecontainer which must be ridden over by the or each lever before thecompression pump can be actuated wherein the step is over-ridden whenthe pre-determined force is applied to the or each lever.

Alternatively, the pre-load means may comprise of a step formed on theor each finger operable means (e.g. lever) which must be ridden over bythe container before the compression pump can be actuated wherein thestep is over-ridden when the pre-determined force is applied to the oreach lever.

In yet a further alternative, the pre-load means may comprise of atleast one detent formed on one of the container or the or each lever anda recess formed on the other of the container or the or each leverwherein the or each detent is able to ride out of the recess with whichit is engaged when the pre-determined force is applied to the or eachlever.

In another aspect the pre-load means is interposed between the housingand the container.

In which case, the pre-load means may comprise of one or more detentsformed on the container for engagement with part of the housing, the orall of the detents being disengageable from the housing when thepre-determined force is applied to the or each lever so as to allow thecompression pump to be actuated.

Alternatively, the pre-load means may comprise of one or more detentsformed on the housing for engagement with part of the container, the orall of the detents being disengageable from the container when thepre-determined force is applied to the or each lever so as to allow thecompression pump to be actuated.

In a further aspect, the pre-load means is interposed between thecontainer and the discharge outlet.

In which case, the pre-load means may comprises of a step formed on thedischarge outlet and at least one latching member attached to thecontainer, the arrangement being such that, when the pre-determinedforce is applied to the or each lever, the or each latching member isable to ride over the step so as to allow the compression pump to beactuated.

Alternatively, the pre-load means may comprise of a recess formed on thedischarge outlet and at least one latching member attached to thecontainer, the arrangement being such that, when the pre-determinedforce is applied to the or each lever, the or each latching member isable to ride out of the recess so as to allow the compression pump to beactuated.

In a further aspect, the pre-load means is interposed between thehousing and the or each lever.

In which case, the pre-load means may comprise of at least one detentformed on the housing for engagement with the or each lever, the or allof the detents being disengageable from the respective lever when thepre-determined force is applied to the or each lever so as to allow thecompression pump to be actuated.

Alternatively, the pre-load means may comprise of at least one detentformed on the or each lever for engagement with part of the housing, theor all of the detents being disengageable from the housing when thepre-determined force is applied to the or each lever so as to allow thecompression pump to be actuated.

In a further aspect, the pre-load means is interposed between theactuating means and the housing.

In which case, the pre-load means may comprise of at least one detentformed on part of the actuating means for engagement with part of thehousing, the or all of the detents being disengageable from the housingwhen the pre-determined force is applied to the or each lever so as toallow the compression pump to be actuated.

Alternatively, the pre-load means may comprise of at least one detentformed on part of the housing each detent being arranged for engagementwith a complementary recess formed on part of the actuating means, eachdetent being disengageable from its respective recess when thepre-determined force is applied to the or each lever so as to allow thecompression pump to be actuated.

In a further aspect, the pre-load means is interposed between the oreach lever and the respective actuating means.

In which case, the pre-load means may comprise of at least one detentformed on the or each lever for engagement with a respective recessformed on part of the actuating means, each detent being disengageablefrom its respective complementary recess when the pre-determined forceis applied to the or each lever so as to allow the compression pump tobe actuated.

Alternatively, the pre-load means comprises of at least one detentformed on each actuating means for engagement with a recess formed on arespective lever, each detent being disengageable from its respectivecomplementary recess when the pre-determined force is applied to the oreach lever so as to allow the compression pump to be actuated.

As yet a further alternative, the preload means may comprise of anactuating device having a variable mechanical ratio such that until thepre-determined force is applied to the or each lever no significantforce is transferred to the container along the longitudinal axis.

The fluid dispensing device may alternatively comprise a single leverand the pre-load means may further comprise of a spring interposedbetween the lever and the container, the spring being used to urge thecontainer towards the nozzle so as to actuate the compression pump.

In which case the spring may be compressed by movement of the leveruntil the pre-determined force is applied (i.e. by a combination ofuser-applied force and stored spring force), at which point thethreshold of the pre-load means used to prevent actuation of thecompression pump is overcome by the force being applied to the containersuch that the container moves rapidly towards the nozzle so as toactuate the compression pump.

Suitably, the fluid dispensing device is additionally provided withforce modifying means for modifying the force applied to the container.That is to say, means for modifying the force applied to (and therefore,ultimately acting on) the container compared to that force directlyapplied to the or each lever by the user.

Suitably, the force modifying means acts such as to amplify the forceapplied (i.e. it comprises force amplifying means). The amplificationmay be provided in either a uniform manner such as by a constantamplification, for example by a ratio of from 1.5:1 to 10:1 (amplifiedforce:initial force; i.e. degree of amplification of from 1.5 to 10),more typically from 2:1 to 5:1. In another aspect, the amplification isapplied in a non-constant manner such as progressive increase orprogressive decrease of mechanical advantage over the applied forcecycle.

The exact profile of force modification may be readily determined byreference to the desired spray profile and all relevant characteristicsof the device and formulation to be sprayed (e.g. viscosity anddensity).

The force modifying means may in one aspect, be integral with the oreach lever. In this aspect, the force modifying means may comprise anaspect of the or each lever shaped to give rise to a mechanicaladvantage.

In another aspect, the force modifying means is located non-integralwith the or each lever, and typically between the or each lever and thecontainer. Again this aspect, the force modifying means may comprise anaspect of the or each lever shaped to give rise to a mechanicaladvantage.

In one aspect, the force modifying means only acts (i.e. only acts tomodify the user applied force) once the pre-determined force has beenovercome. In preferred aspects, the modifying force acts such that oncethe pre-determined force has been overcome the force applied to thecontainer is either relatively constant or increases on a relativelyconstant basis.

In one particular aspect, the force modifying means additionallycomprises a stop feature, which acts to stop force being applied to thecontainer once either a particular maximum force is reached or moretypically, once the container has been moved a particular distance. Inone aspect, the stop functions to prevent excess force being applied tothe compression pump.

According to a first embodiment of the first aspect of the invention theactuating means comprises of at least one elongate member interposedbetween a position of connection to the collar and a position ofinteraction with a respective lever.

The position of interaction is a position where an end portion of eachelongate member reacts against a stop associated with the respectivelever.

The stop may be a projection on a surface of the respective lever facingthe container. The projection may be formed as an integral part of therespective lever.

Alternatively, the stop may be a recess formed in a surface of therespective lever facing the container with which the end portion of theelongate member may be engaged.

Preferably, each elongate member may be formed as an integral part ofthe collar.

There may be two elongate members interposed between each lever and thecollar.

The container may have a longitudinal axis and each elongate member mayhave a longitudinal axis extending between the position of connection tothe collar and the position of interaction with the respective lever,the longitudinal axis of each elongate member may be arranged at anincluded angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the containersuch that the respective elongate member diverges away from thelongitudinal axis of the container as it extends from the position ofconnection to the collar to the position of interaction with therespective lever.

When the or each lever is moved to cause the container to be movedtowards the nozzle, the included angle between the longitudinal axis ofeach elongate member and the longitudinal axis of the container may bereduced.

When each lever is moved to cause the container to be moved towards thenozzle, each elongate member associated therewith may be subjected toelastic bending.

According to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the inventionthe actuating means is at least one resilient flexible member connectedto an upper end of each lever so as to hold the or each resilientflexible member in an upwardly bowed state.

The or each resilient flexible member may be a leaf spring.

The lower end of the or each lever may be pivotally connected to thehousing.

When the or each lever is moved towards the container so as to cause thecontainer is to be moved towards the nozzle, the radius of curvature ofthe or each bowed resilient flexible member may be reduced.

The or each resilient flexible member may be connected to the neck ofthe container by abutment of an upper surface of the or each resilientflexible member against a collar attached to the neck of the container.

A stop means may be provided to limit rotational movement of each leveraway from the container so as to maintain the or each resilient flexiblemember in a bowed state.

There may be one lever pivotally supported at a lower end within thehousing and the or each resilient flexible member is connected at oneend to the upper end of the lever and is connected at an opposite end topart of the body structure of the fluid dispensing device. The part ofthe body structure may be the housing.

The stop may be positioned such that when the lever is displaced fullyfrom the container so as to rest against the stop the linear distancebetween the upper end of the lever and the position of connection of theor each resilient flexible member to the part of the body structure isless than the un-bowed length of the or each resilient flexible member.

The fluid dispensing device may further include an end cap to protectthe nozzle and the upper end of the lever is adapted to automaticallyopen the end cap when the lever is moved to cause the container to bemoved towards the nozzle.

The upper end may be adapted by means of a toothed portion formed on theupper end of the lever for engagement with a complementary toothedportion on the end cap.

As a variation to the second embodiment there may be two levers each ofwhich is pivotally supported at a lower end within the housing and theor each resilient flexible member is connected at one end to the upperend of one of the two levers and is connected at an opposite end to theupper end of the other of the two levers.

Preferably, the or each resilient flexible member and the two levers maybe formed as a single integral part.

Each stop may be positioned such that when the two levers are displacedfully from the container, so as to rest against their respective stops,the linear distance between the upper ends of the two levers is lessthan the un-bowed length of the or each resilient flexible member.

According to a third embodiment of the first aspect of the invention thefluid discharge device has a longitudinal axis and the actuating meanscomprises of at least one abutment surface formed on the collar againstwhich at least one actuating surface formed at an upper end of eachlever is arranged to react wherein at least one of the or each actuatingsurface and the or each abutment surface is arranged at an angle to thelongitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device so as to convert a forceapplied to the levers substantially transversely to the longitudinalaxis of the fluid discharge device into a force along the longitudinalaxis of the fluid discharge device.

Each abutment surface may be arranged at an angle to the longitudinalaxis of the fluid discharge device.

Each actuating surface may be arranged at an angle to the longitudinalaxis of the fluid discharge device or alternatively, each actuatingsurface may be a curved surface.

There may be four abutment surfaces formed on the collar, each beinglocated for co-operation with a respective one of two actuating surfacesformed on the or each lever. Alternatively, there may be two abutmentsurfaces formed on the collar each being located for co-operation with arespective one of two actuating surfaces formed on the or each lever.

Each lever may be U-shaped in cross-section having first and secondflanges joined together by a bridging portion.

The first flange may have an end portion forming a first actuatingsurface and the second flange may have an end portion forming a secondactuating surface.

Each lever may be pivotally supported at a lower end within the housingby a pivotal connection between the lower end of the respective leverand part of the body structure. In which case, the part of the bodystructure may be the housing.

Each lever may be pivotally supported at a lower end within the housingby a flexible strap joining the lower ends of the two levers.

The housing may have a front wall, a rear wall and two opposing sidewalls and at least one of the front wall and the rear wall may have anaperture therein to view the level of the fluid in the container.

The body structure may comprise of a plastic housing and a plastic bodymember.

The nozzle may be formed as an integral part of the plastic body member.

The plastic body member may be fastened to the housing so that thenozzle projects from the upper end of the housing.

The housing may have two apertures formed therein from each of which, inuse, a part of a respective one of the levers projects. Alternatively,the body may have two apertures formed therein from each of which, inuse, a part of a respective one of the levers projects.

Embodiments are envisaged in which the fluid discharge device isreversibly removable from the housing of the fluid dispensing device. Insuch embodiments the fluid dispensing device comprises a housingassembly and fluid discharge device receivable thereby.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fluiddischarge device for use in a fluid dispensing device in accordance withthe first aspect of the invention.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a housingassembly for a fluid dispensing device comprising a housing for moveablysupporting a discharge device, a nozzle extending from an upper end ofthe housing for insertion into a body cavity and at least one lever toapply, in use, a force to the fluid discharging device so as to actuatethe fluid discharge device and supply fluid to the nozzle wherein the oreach lever is pivotally supported at a lower end within the housing.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a kit of parts comprising a housing assembly as described aboveand a fluid discharge device receivable thereby. The fluid dischargedevice has a longitudinal axis and comprises a container for storing thefluid to be dispensed and a compression pump having a suction inletlocated within the container and a discharge tube extending along thelongitudinal axis for transferring fluid from the pump to the nozzle.

It is also envisaged that the housing assembly could be supplied as aseparate item, into which a user or pharmacist later fits a suitablefluid discharge device.

The fluid discharge device is in one aspect in accordance with the firstaspect of the invention (i.e. a compression pump-type device). Inanother aspect, the fluid discharge device is an aerosol containerhaving a dispensing valve (typically, a metering valve, such as a slidevalve type metering valve) of the type well-known for use in metereddose inhaler (MDI) type medicament dispensers.

Suitably, the fluid discharge device herein comprises a pre-compressionpump, such as a VP3, VP7 or modifications, model manufactured by ValoisSA. Typically, such pre-compression pumps are typically used with abottle (glass or plastic) container capable of holding 8-50 ml of aformulation. Each spray will typically deliver 50-100 μl of such aformulation and the device is therefore capable of providing at least100 metered doses.

By metered dose inhaler (MDI) it is meant a discharge device suitablefor dispensing medicament in aerosol form, wherein the medicament iscomprised in an aerosol container suitable for containing apropellant-based aerosol medicament formulation. The aerosol containeris typically provided with a metering valve, for example a slide valve,for release of the aerosol form medicament formulation to the patient.The aerosol container is generally designed to deliver a predetermineddose of medicament upon each actuation by means of the valve, which canbe opened either by depressing the valve while the container is heldstationary or by depressing the container while the valve is heldstationary.

Where the medicament container is an aerosol container, the valvetypically comprises a valve body having an inlet port through which amedicament aerosol formulation may enter said valve body, an outlet portthrough which the aerosol may exit the valve body and an open/closemechanism by means of which flow through said outlet port iscontrollable.

The valve may be a slide valve wherein the open/close mechanismcomprises a sealing ring and receivable by the sealing ring a valve stemhaving a dispensing passage, the valve stem being slidably movablewithin the ring from a valve-closed to a valve-open position in whichthe interior of the valve body is in communication with the exterior ofthe valve body via the dispensing passage.

Typically, the valve is a metering valve. The metering volumes aretypically from 10 to 100 μl, such as 25 μl, 50 μl or 63 μl. Suitably,the valve body defines a metering chamber for metering an amount ofmedicament formulation and an open/close mechanism by means of which theflow through the inlet port to the metering chamber is controllable.Preferably, the valve body has a sampling chamber in communication withthe metering chamber via a second inlet port, said inlet port beingcontrollable by means of an open/close mechanism thereby regulating theflow of medicament formulation into the metering chamber.

The valve may also comprise a ‘free flow aerosol valve’ having a chamberand a valve stem extending into the chamber and movable relative to thechamber between dispensing and non-dispensing positions. The valve stemhas a configuration and the chamber has an internal configuration suchthat a metered volume is defined therebetween and such that duringmovement between is non-dispensing and dispensing positions the valvestem sequentially: (i) allows free flow of aerosol formulation into thechamber, (ii) defines a closed metered volume for pressurized aerosolformulation between the external surface of the valve stem and internalsurface of the chamber, and (iii) moves with the closed metered volumewithin the chamber without decreasing the volume of the closed meteredvolume until the metered volume communicates with an outlet passagethereby allowing dispensing of the metered volume of pressurized aerosolformulation.

Each lever may be pivotally supported at a lower end within the housingby a pivotal connection between the lower end of the respective leverand the housing.

Alternatively, each lever may be pivotally supported at a lower endwithin the housing by a flexible strap joining the lower ends of the twolevers.

The invention will now be described further with reference to theaccompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of part of a first embodiment of afluid dispensing device according to the invention in a ready for usestate;

FIG. 2 is a line diagram showing the relationship between variousmembers forming the fluid dispensing device in a ready to use position;

FIG. 3 is a line diagram similar to that shown in FIG. 2 but showing theposition of the members in a discharged state at the end of a deliverystroke;

FIG. 4 is a pictorial representation of an alternative collar andactuating means for use in the fluid dispensing device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross-section through a fluid dispensing device of which themechanism shown in FIG. 1 forms a part;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section through a second embodiment of a fluiddispensing device according to the invention with a protective end capin an open position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section through an alternative arrangement of thesecond embodiment in a ready for use position;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section as shown in FIG. 7 but showing the fluiddispensing device in a discharge state at the end of a delivery stroke;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of a flexible member and lever arrangementforming part of the fluid dispensing device shown in FIG. 8 in apre-assembled condition;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the flexible member and lever arrangementshown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a pictorial view of part of a third embodiment of a fluiddispensing device according to the invention in a ready for use state;

FIG. 12 is a cross-section through a fluid dispensing device accordingto the invention including the mechanism shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the fluid dispensing device shown in FIG. 12with an end cap removed;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the fluid dispensing device shown in FIG. 12with an end cap in place;

FIG. 15 is a pictorial front view of an alternative arrangement to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 with an end cap in place;

FIG. 16 is a reversed front view of the fluid dispensing device shown inFIG. 15 with the end cap removed;

FIG. 17 is an exploded view of the fluid dispensing device shown inFIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged front view of the fluid dispensing device shownin FIGS. 15 to 17;

FIG. 19 is a side view of the fluid dispensing device shown in FIG. 18;and

FIG. 20 is a staggered cross-section through the fluid dispensing deviceshown in FIGS. 18 and 19 with the end cap removed.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown a first embodiment of afluid dispensing device 5 for spraying a fluid into a body cavitycomprising a body structure including a housing 9, a nozzle 11 extendingout from an upper end of the housing for insertion into a body cavity, afluid discharge device 8 moveably housed within the housing 9, the fluiddischarge device 8 comprising a container 30 having a neck 29 at one endfor storing the fluid to be dispensed and a compression pump having asuction inlet located within the container 30 and a discharge outlet 31for transferring fluid from the pump to the nozzle 11 and at least onelever 20, 21 to apply a force to an actuating means 22 used to move thecontainer 30 towards the nozzle 11 so as to actuate the pump. The twoopposing levers 20, 21 are pivotally supported at a lower end within thehousing 9 and the actuating means 22 is connected to the neck 29 of thecontainer 30 by a collar 40 engaged with the neck 29 of the container30.

The collar 40 can be attached or engaged with the neck 29 by anysuitable means but preferably the collar 40 is designed to snap onto theneck 29 and locate in a groove formed in the neck 29. This arrangementusing a snap-on collar allows a standard fluid discharge device to beused without modification.

The fluid dispensing device 5 comprises of a plastic moulded body 6 andthe fluid discharge device 8 and further comprises of a protective endcap (not shown) having an inner surface for engagement with the body 6to protect the dispensing nozzle 11.

The body 6 is made from a plastic material such as polypropylene and thebody 6 and the nozzle 11 are made as a single plastic component and areconnected to an upper end of the housing 9 so that the nozzle 11 extendsaway from the housing 9.

The housing 9 defines a cavity formed by a front wall, a rear wall andfirst and second end walls 14 a, 14 b. Each of the side walls 14 a, 14 bhas an aperture 18 a, 18 b formed therein through which the upper end ofa restive one of the levers 20, 21 projects.

At least one of the front wall and the rear wall has an aperture (notshown) therein to view the level of the fluid in the container 30.

The discharge outlet from the pump is in the form of a tubular deliverytube 31 and a tubular guide in the form of an outlet tube 16 is formedwithin the nozzle 11 to align and locate the delivery tube 31 correctlywith respect to the nozzle 11.

An annular abutment 17 is formed at the end of the outlet tube 16. Theannular abutment 17 defines the entry to an orifice passage 15 throughwhich fluid can flow in use and is arranged for abutment with an end ofthe delivery tube 31.

The nozzle 11 and the fluid discharge device both have longitudinal axeswhich are aligned so that when the pump is actuated the force applied tothe tubular delivery tube 31 is along the axis of the tubular deliverytube and no bending or deflection of the delivery tube 31 will occur dueto the applied force.

The fluid discharge device 8 is in most respects conventional and willonly be described briefly herein.

The fluid discharge device 8 comprises of the hollow container 30defining a reservoir containing several doses of the fluid to bedispensed and the compression pump attached to said one end of thecontainer 30.

The container 30 as shown is made from a translucent or transparentplastics material however it will be appreciate that it could be madefrom other translucent or transparent materials such as glass.

The pump includes a plunger (not shown) slidingly engaged within a pumpcasing which defines a chamber (not shown) sized to accommodate a singledose of fluid. The plunger is attached to the tubular delivery tube 31which is arranged to extend from one end of the pump for co-operationwith the outlet tube 16 of the dispensing nozzle 11. The plungerincludes a piston (not shown) slidably supported in the chamber formedin the pump casing.

The fluid is discharged through a discharge channel defined by thetubular delivery tube 31 into the orifice passage 15 of the dispensingnozzle 11.

The size of chamber is such that it accommodates a single dose of fluid,the diameter of the chamber and piston combined with the stroke of theplunger being such that a full stroke of the plunger in the chamber willproduce a change in volume equal to a single dose of fluid.

The pump casing is connected to the container 30 such that when thepiston is moved by a return spring (not shown) into a start position anew dose of fluid is drawn into the cylinder via the suction inlet inthe form of a pick-up tube from the container 30 ready for discharge.

The two opposing levers 20, 21 are each pivotally supported near a lowerend of the housing 9 by means of pivot pins 23 which pivotally connecteach lever 20, 21 to part of the housing 9. The two levers 20, 21 arearranged to act upon the actuating means 22 so as to urge the container30 towards the nozzle 11 when the two levers 20, 21 are squeezedtogether by a user.

The actuating means 22 comprises of at least one elongate member 24interposed between a position of connection ‘PC’ to the collar 40 and aposition of interaction ‘PI’ with a respective lever 20, 21.

The position of interaction ‘PI’ is a position where an end portion ofeach elongate member 24 reacts against a stop 25 associated with therespective lever 20, 21.

The stop is in the form of a projection or rib 25 on a surface of therespective lever 20, 21 facing the container 30. The projection 25 isformed as an integral part of the respective lever 20, 21 by beingmoulded as a part of the lever 20, 21.

Alternatively, the stop could be formed by a component attached to thelever or could be a recess formed in a surface of the respective leverfacing the container with which the end portion of the elongate membermay be engaged.

In any event the stop 25 is arranged to prevent sliding of the elongatemembers 24 beyond a certain position along the length of each lever 20,21 and are used to transfer load from each lever 20, 21 to the elongatemembers 24.

The elongate members 24 are formed as an integral part of the collar 40and as shown in FIG. 1 there are two elongate members 24 interposedbetween each lever 20, 21 and the collar 40.

As is best understood with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 the container 30has a longitudinal axis X-X and each elongate member 24 has alongitudinal axis Y-Y extending between the position of connection ‘PC’to the collar 40 and the position of interaction ‘PI’ with therespective lever 20, 21. The longitudinal axis Y-Y of each elongatemember 24 is arranged at an included angle θ with respect to thelongitudinal axis X-X of the container 30 such that the respectiveelongate member 24 diverges away from the longitudinal axis X-X of thecontainer as it extends from the position of connection ‘PC’ to thecollar 40 to the position of interaction ‘PI’ with the respective lever20, 21.

When the or each lever 20, 21 is moved to cause the container 30 to bemoved towards the nozzle 11, the included angle θ between thelongitudinal axis Y-Y of each elongate member 24 and the longitudinalaxis X-X of the container 30 is reduced as is shown in FIG. 3. This isbecause when each lever 20, 21 is moved to cause the container 30 to bemoved towards the nozzle 11, each elongate member 24 associatedtherewith is subjected to elastic bending. That is to say the elongatemembers are bent but when the applied load is released they return totheir normal straight condition.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative form of collar 40 a and elongate members 24a in which each of the elongate members 24 a is formed by a strip orleaf of resilient flexible material. The collar 40 a and the elongatemembers 24 a are formed as a single integral part.

Referring to FIG. 2 if a force F1 is applied to the lever 20 where shownthen this will result in a force F2 being transferred to the end of thetwo elongate members 24 from the project 25. Because of the angle atwhich the elongate members 24 are positioned the two elongate members 24transmit a force F3 to the collar 40 and once again because of the angleat which this force is applied the force F3 results in a force F4 beingtransmitted along the axis X-X of the container 30 to move the containerin the direction of the nozzle so as to actuate the pump.

Given the angles and geometry shown on FIG. 2 an input force F1 of 20Newtons will result in a output force F4 of 29.3 Newtons.

However, due to the change in the angles which occurs as the levers 20,21 are squeezed together, the same input force F1 of 20N will result inan output force F4 of 65.3N being applied to the container 30 at the endof the delivery stroke as shown in FIG. 3.

This increase in mechanical ratio is useful as it ensures that when auser applies a force to the levers 20, 21 a positive movement of thecontainer occurs resulting in a short but powerful spraying action.

Operation of the fluid dispensing device is as follows.

FIG. 5 shows the levers 20, 21 in a ready for use position in which thelevers 20, 21 are used to hold the fluid discharge device 8 within thehousing 9. In this position the end portions of the elongate members 24rest upon the stops 25.

If required, the container 30 could additionally be slidably engageablewith one or is more support structures (not shown) to assist with thelocation and retention of the fluid discharge device 8 in the housing 9.

If a user then grasps the fluid dispensing device 5 by the two levers20, 21 then provided only a light pressure is applied to the levers 20,21 no fluid will be discharged and the user is able to manoeuvre thedispensing nozzle 11 of the fluid dispensing device 5 into the bodyorifice into which fluid is required to be dispensed. This is because ofthe presence of static friction between the pivot pins 23 and the levers20, 21.

If the user then squeezes the two levers 20, 21 together with increasingforce the static friction will be overcome and the interaction of theelongate members 24 with the projections 25 will then cause a force tobe transmitted to the collar 40 and the container 30 will be movedrapidly towards the nozzle 11. During this part of the operation theelongate members will be subject to elastic bending as the rotationalmovement of the levers 20, 21 causes the projections 25 on each lever20, 21 to be moved closer together.

Because of the abutment between the end of the delivery tube 31 and theannular abutment 17, movement of the delivery tube 31 in the samedirection is not possible. The effect of this is to cause the container30 to move relative to the delivery tube 31 causing the delivery tube 31to push the plunger into the pump casing thereby moving the piston ofthe pump in the cylinder. This causes fluid to be expelled from thecylinder into the delivery tube 31.

The fluid forced into the delivery tube 16 is then transferred into theorifice 15 from where it is expelled as a fine spray into the bodyorifice.

Upon releasing the pressure applied to the levers 20, 21 the deliverytube 31 is urged out of the pump casing by the internal return springand by the natural reaction of the elongate members to return to astraight form and causes fluid to be drawn up the pick-up tube tore-fill the cylinder.

The actuating procedure can then be repeated until all of the fluid inthe container has been used. However, only one or two doses of fluid arenormally administered at a time.

When the container is empty a new fluid discharge device 8 is loadedinto the housing 9 thereby restoring the fluid dispensing device 5 intoa useable condition.

With reference to FIGS. 6 to 10 there is shown a second embodiment of afluid dispensing device for spraying a fluid into a body cavity which isin many respects similar to that previously described.

With reference to FIG. 5 there is shown a first arrangement inaccordance with the second embodiment.

The fluid dispensing device 105 comprising a body structure including ahousing 109, a nozzle 111 extending out from an upper end of the housingfor insertion into a body cavity, a fluid discharge device 108 moveablyhoused within the housing 109, the fluid discharge device 108 comprisinga container 130 having a neck 129 at one end for storing the fluid to bedispensed and a compression pump having a suction inlet located withinthe container 130 and a discharge outlet 131 for transferring fluid fromthe pump to the nozzle 111 and at least one lever 120 to apply a forceto an actuating means used to move the container 130 towards the nozzle111 so as to actuate the pump. The lever 120 is pivotally supported at alower end within the housing 109 and the actuating means is connected tothe neck 129 of the container 130 by a collar 140 engaged with the neck129 of the container 130.

In more detail, the body structure comprises of a two-part plastichousing 109 and a plastic body member 106 both of which are moulded froma suitable plastic material such as polypropylene. The nozzle 111 isformed as an integral part of the body member 106 and the body member106 is fastened to the housing 109 so that the nozzle 111 projects fromthe upper end of the housing 109.

A protective end cap 107 for the nozzle 111 is pivotally connected tothe body member 106 and has an inner surface for engagement with thebody 106 to protect the dispensing nozzle 111.

The housing 109 has an aperture formed in a side wall 114 from which, inuse, a part of the lever 120 projects. The part of the lever 120 whichprojects from the aperture is a ribbed finger grip 146.

The discharge outlet from the pump is in the form of a tubular deliverytube 131 and a tubular guide in the form of an outlet tube 116 is formedwithin the nozzle 111 to align and locate the delivery tube 131correctly with respect to the nozzle 111.

An annular abutment 117 is formed at the end of the outlet tube 116. Theannular abutment 117 defines the entry to an orifice 115 through whichfluid can flow in use and is arranged for abutment with an end of thedelivery tube 131.

The fluid discharge device 108 is in most respects conventional and willonly be described briefly herein.

The fluid discharge device 108 has a hollow container 130 defining areservoir containing several doses of the fluid to be dispensed and acompression pump attached to one end of the container 130.

The container 130 as shown is made from glass however it will beappreciated that it could be made from other translucent or transparentmaterials such as plastic.

The pump includes a plunger (not shown) slidingly engaged within a pumpcasing which defines a chamber (not shown) sized to accommodate a singledose of fluid. The plunger is attached to the tubular delivery tube 131which is arranged to extend from one end of the pump for co-operationwith the outlet tube 116 of the dispensing nozzle 111. The plungerincludes a piston (not shown) slidably supported in the chamber formedin the pump casing.

The fluid is discharged through a discharge channel defined by thetubular delivery tube 131 into the orifice 115 of the dispensing nozzle111.

The size of chamber is such that it accommodates a single dose of fluid,the diameter of the chamber and piston combined with the stroke of theplunger being such that a full stroke of the plunger in the chamber willproduce a change in volume equal to a single dose of fluid.

The pump casing is connected to the container 130 such that when thepiston is moved by an internal return spring (not shown) into a startposition a new dose of fluid is drawn into the cylinder via the suctioninlet in the form of a pick-up tube from the container 130 ready fordischarge.

The collar 140 can be connected to the neck 129 of the container 130 byany convenient means but it is preferred to use a snap connection inwhich the collar 140 has a groove 141 into which the collar 140 is snapfitted. The collar 140 has a slit 142 in one side which allows it to bepushed onto the neck 129 and engage with the groove 141. The use of asnap fastened collar is advantageous in that it allows for the use of astandard fluid discharge device.

The actuating means is a resilient flexible member 124 in the form of aleaf spring connected to an upper end of the lever 120 so as to hold theresilient flexible member 124 in an upwardly bowed state. However, itwill be appreciated that more than one resilient flexible member couldbe used if required.

The lower end of the lever 120 is pivotally connected to the housing 109by means of a pivot pin 123.

The resilient flexible member 124 is operably connected to the neck 129of the container 130 by abutment of an upper surface 126 of theresilient flexible member 124 against a lower surface 127 of the collar140 which is attached to the neck 129 of the container 130.

A stop means 125 is provided to limit rotational movement of the lever120 away from the container 130 so as to maintain the resilient flexiblemember 124 in a bowed state. The stop means 125 takes the form of oneedge of the aperture through which the lever 120 projects.

The lever 120 is pivotally supported at a lower end within the housing109 and the resilient flexible member 124 is connected at one end to theupper end of the lever 120 by engagement with a groove 134 formed in thelever 120 and is connected at an opposite end to part of the bodystructure of the fluid dispensing device 105 in the form of the housing109 which has a groove 135 formed therein with which the resilientflexible member 124 is engaged.

It will be appreciated that if removed from the fluid dispensing device105 the resilient flexible member will return to a flat planar shape asit undergoes no plastic deformation during use but only elasticdeformation.

The stop 125 is positioned such that when the lever 120 is displacedfully from the container 130 so as to rest against the stop 125 thelinear distance between the upper end of the lever 120 and the positionof connection of the resilient flexible member 124 to the housing 109 isless than the un-bowed length of the resilient flexible member 124. Thisensures that the flexible member never returns to a flat shape. This isimportant because the resilient flexible member must be bowed upwardlyto function correctly and if it were to be fully released there is apossibility that upon re-applying a load to it would bow downwardly.

When the lever 120 is moved towards the container 130 so as to cause thecontainer 130 to be moved towards the nozzle 111, the radius ofcurvature ‘R’ of the bowed resilient flexible member 124 is reduced andthe collar 140 is moved upwardly.

The fluid dispensing device 105 further includes the end cap 107 toprotect the nozzle 111 and the upper end of the lever 120 is adapted toautomatically open the end cap 107 when the lever 120 is moved to causethe container 130 to be moved towards the nozzle 111.

The lever 120 is adapted by means of a toothed portion 148 formed on theupper end of the lever 120 for engagement with a complementary toothedportion 149 formed on the end cap 107. As the lever 120 is rotated aboutits lower end towards the container 130 the engagement of the twotoothed portions 148, 149 causes the end cap 107 to be flipped back intoan open position as shown in FIG. 6.

Operation of the fluid dispensing device 105 is as follows.

After inserting a fluid discharge device 108 into the housing 109 thefluid dispensing device is ready for use and the lever 120 will beresting against the end stop 125.

To use the fluid dispensing device 105 a user must first grasp the fluiddispensing device 105 so that contact is made with the lever 120 and inparticular with the ribbed finger grip 146.

Provided that only a light pressure is applied to the lever 120 no fluidwill be discharged and the user is able to manoeuvre the dispensingnozzle 111 of the fluid dispensing device 105 into a body orifice suchas a nasal cavity into which fluid is required to be dispensed. This isbecause of the presence of some free travel between the collar 140 andthe groove 141. Any initial movement of the lever 120 will however causethe end cap 107 to be opened.

If the user then exerts more force upon the lever 120 the free play willeventually be exceeded and the interaction of the resilient flexiblemember 124 upon the collar 140 will then cause the container 130 to bemoved rapidly towards the nozzle 111. It will be appreciated that as thelever 120 is rotated the linear distance between the ends of theresilient flexible member 124 is reduced and therefore it must bow to agreater degree because it is of fixed length.

Because of the abutment between the end of the delivery tube 131 and theannular abutment 117 movement of the delivery tube 131 in the samedirection is prevented and therefore the delivery tube 131 is pushedinto the container 130 causing the plunger to be pushed into the pumpcasing, thereby moving the piston of the pump in the cylinder. Thiscauses fluid to be expelled from the cylinder into the delivery tube 131and then into the orifice 115 from where it is expelled as a fine sprayinto the body orifice.

Upon releasing the pressure applied to the levers 120, the delivery tube131 is urged out of the pump casing by the internal return spring whichcauses fluid to be drawn up the pick-up tube to re-fill the cylinder.The resilient flexible member 124 will try to assume is least deformedstate and so will urge the lever 120 back upon its stop 125 as soon asthe force is removed from the lever 120.

The actuating procedure can then be repeated until all of the fluid inthe container has been used. However, only one or two doses of fluid arenormally administered at a time.

When the container 130 is empty a new fluid discharge device 108 isloaded into the body member 106 thereby restoring the fluid dispensingdevice 105 into a useable condition.

With particular reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 there is shown a secondarrangement according to the second embodiment of the invention whichutilises the same principle as previously described.

The fluid dispensing device 205 comprising a body structure including ahousing 209, a nozzle 211 extending out from an upper end of the housing209 for insertion into a body cavity, a fluid discharge device 208moveably housed within the housing 209, the fluid discharge device 208comprising a container 230 having a neck 229 at one end for storing thefluid to be dispensed and a compression pump having a suction inletlocated within the container 230 and a discharge outlet 231 fortransferring fluid from the pump to the nozzle 211 and at least onelever 220, 221 to apply a force to an actuating means used to move thecontainer 230 towards the nozzle 211 so as to actuate the pump.

Each of the levers 220, 221 is pivotally supported at a lower end withinthe housing 209 and the actuating means is connected to the neck 229 ofthe container 230 by a collar 240 engaged with the neck 229 of thecontainer 230.

In more detail, the body structure comprises of a plastic housing 209and a plastic body member 206 both of which are moulded from a suitableplastic material such as polypropylene. The nozzle 211 is formed as anintegral part of the body member 206 and the body member 206 is fastenedto the housing 209 so that the nozzle 211 projects from the upper end ofthe housing 209.

The housing 209 has an aperture formed in both side walls from which, inuse, a part of one of the two levers 220, 221 projects.

The discharge outlet from the pump is in the form of a tubular deliverytube 231 and a tubular guide in the form of an outlet tube 216 is formedwithin the nozzle 211 to align and locate the delivery tube 231correctly with respect to the nozzle 211.

An annular abutment 217 is formed at the end of the outlet tube 216. Theannular abutment 217 defines the entry to an orifice 215 through whichfluid can flow in use and is arranged for abutment with an end of thedelivery tube 231.

The fluid discharge device 208 is in most respects conventional and isas previously described having a hollow container 230 defining areservoir containing several doses of the fluid to be dispensed and acompression pump attached to one end of the container 230. A pump isfitted in the container 230 to pump fluid out of the container 230 viathe delivery tube 231 into the orifice 215 of the dispensing nozzle 211.

The collar 240 is connected to the neck 229 of the container 230 by anyconvenient means but it is preferred to use a snap connection in whichthe collar 240 has a groove 241 into which the collar 240 is snapfitted. The collar 240 has a slit 242 in one side which allows it to bepushed onto the neck 229 and engage with the groove 241. The use of asnap fastened collar is advantageous in that it allows for the use of astandard fluid discharge device.

Each of the two levers 220, 221 is pivotally supported at a lower endwithin the housing 209 by means of pivot pins 223 formed as part of thelevers 220, 221 and engaged with apertures formed in part of the housing209.

The resilient flexible member 224 is connected at one end to the upperend of one of the two levers 220, 221 and is connected at an oppositeend to the upper end of the other of the two levers 220, 221.

As best seen with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the resilient flexiblemember 224 and the two levers 220, 221 is formed as a single integralpart.

The levers 220, 221 and the resilient flexible member 224 are moulded asone part and when removed from the housing 209 the resilient flexiblemember returns to a flat or planar shape as shown in FIG. 10.

An aperture 250 is formed in the resilient flexible member to allow itto be engaged with the neck 229 of the container 230.

The resilient flexible member 224 is operably connected to the neck 229of the container 230 by abutment of an upper surface 226 of theresilient flexible member 224 against a lower surface 227 of the collar240 which is attached to the neck 229 of the container 230.

A stop (not shown) formed by an edge of the aperture through which eachlever 220, 221 extends is positioned such that when the two levers 220,221 are displaced fully from the container 230, so as to rest againsttheir respective stops, the linear distance between the upper ends ofthe two levers 220, 221 is less than the un-bowed length of theresilient flexible member 224.

This ensures that the flexible member never returns to a flat shape.This is important because the resilient flexible member must be bowedupwardly to function correctly and if it were to be fully released thereis a possibility that upon re-applying a load to it would bowdownwardly. It will be appreciated that other means could be used tomaintain the resilient flexible member in a bowed upwardly state. Forexample, a stop can be positioned mid-span upon which a lower surface ofthe resilient member rests when the levers are not being operated.

When the two levers 220, 221 are moved towards the container 230 so asto cause the container 230 to be moved towards the nozzle 211, theradius of curvature of the bowed resilient flexible member 224 isreduced and the collar 240 is moved upwardly. This can be seen bycomparing the radius ‘r1’ on FIG. 7 with the radius ‘r2’ on FIG. 8.

As before when the two levers 220, 221 are squeezed together by a userthen the resilient flexible member 224 is forced to adopt a moredeformed or bowed state due to the fact that the distance between theupper ends of the levers 220, 221 reduces but the length of theresilient flexible member 224 is fixed. This causes the resilientflexible member 224 to bow upwardly thereby pushing the collar 240upwardly.

Because the outlet tube 231 is already touching the annular abutment 217it cannot move upwardly and so the net effect is that the outlet tube231 is pushed into the end of the container 230 causing the pump to beactuated and fluid to be ejected out of the discharge tube 231 via theorifice 215 in the form of a spray.

With reference to FIGS. 11 to 20 there is shown a third embodiment of afluid dispensing device according to the first aspect of the invention.

With particular reference to FIGS. 11 to 14 there is shown a firstarrangement according to the third embodiment

The fluid dispensing device 305 comprises of a body structure includinga housing 309, a nozzle 311 extending out from an upper end of thehousing 309 for insertion into a body cavity, a fluid discharge device308 moveably housed within the housing 309, the fluid discharge device308 comprising a container 330 having a neck 329 at one end for storingthe fluid to be dispensed and a compression pump having a suction inletlocated within the container 330 and a discharge outlet 331 fortransferring fluid from the pump to the nozzle 311 and at least onelever 320, 321 to apply a force to an actuating means used to move thecontainer 330 towards the nozzle 311 so as to actuate the pump.

The lever two levers 320, 321 are pivotally supported at a lower endwithin the housing 309 and the actuating means is connected to the neck329 of the container 330 by a collar 340 engaged with the neck 329 ofthe container 330.

In more detail, the lower end of each lever 320 321 is pivotallyconnected to the housing 309 by means of a pivot pin 323 and the bodystructure comprises of a housing 309 and a plastic body member 306 bothof which are moulded from a suitable plastic material such aspolypropylene. The nozzle 311 is formed as an integral part of the bodymember 306 and the body member 306 is fastened to the housing 309 sothat the nozzle 311 projects from the upper end of the housing 309. Thehousing 309 has an aperture 328 formed in a front wall to check thelevel of the fluid in the container 330 and may have a similar aperturein a rear wall.

A protective end cap 307 for the nozzle 311 has an inner surface forengagement with the body 306 to protect the dispensing nozzle 311.

The body 306 has an aperture formed in each side wall 314 from which, inuse, a part of a respective one of the two levers 320 projects. The partof the lever 320 which projects from each aperture is a ribbed fingergrip 346. The finger grip is positioned near an upper end of each lever320, 321 so as to maximise the distance between the position where eachlever 320, 321 is pivotally connected and the position where a forcewill be applied by a user. This maximises the mechanical advantage ofthe levers 320, 321.

The discharge outlet from the pump is in the form of a tubular deliverytube 331 and a tubular guide in the form of an outlet tube 316 is formedwithin the nozzle 311 to align and locate the delivery tube 331correctly with respect to the nozzle 311.

An annular abutment 317 is formed at the end of the outlet tube 316. Theannular abutment 317 defines the entry to an orifice 315 through whichfluid can flow in use and is arranged for abutment with an end of thedelivery tube 331.

The fluid discharge device 308 is in most respects conventional and willonly be described briefly herein.

The fluid discharge device 308 has a hollow container 330 defining areservoir containing several doses of the fluid to be dispensed and acompression pump attached to one end of the container 330.

The container 330 as shown is made from a translucent or transparentmaterial such as plastic or glass.

The pump includes a plunger (not shown) slidingly engaged within a pumpcasing which defines a chamber (not shown) sized to accommodate a singledose of fluid. The plunger is attached to the tubular delivery tube 331which is arranged to extend from one end of the pump for co-operationwith the outlet tube 316 of the dispensing nozzle 311. The plungerincludes a piston (not shown) slidably supported in the chamber formedin the pump casing.

The fluid is discharged through a discharge channel defined by thetubular delivery tube 331 into the orifice 315 of the dispensing nozzle311.

The size of chamber is such that it accommodates a single dose of fluid,the diameter of the chamber and piston combined with the stroke of theplunger being such that a full stroke of the plunger in the chamber willproduce a change in volume equal to a single dose of fluid.

The pump casing is connected to the container 330 such that when thepiston is moved by an internal return spring (not shown) into a startposition a new dose of fluid is drawn into the cylinder via the suctioninlet in the form of a pick-up tube from the container 330 ready fordischarge.

The collar 340 can be connected to the neck 329 of the container 330 byany convenient means but it is preferred to use a snap connectionbecause it allows for the use of a standard fluid discharge device.

The fluid discharge device 305 has a longitudinal axis X-X and theactuating means comprises of at least one abutment surface 322 formed onthe collar 340 against which at least one actuating surface 324 a, 324 bformed at an upper end of each lever 320, 321 is arranged to react. Atleast one of the or each actuating surface 324 a, 324 b and the or eachabutment surface 322 is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axisX-X of the fluid discharge device 305 so as to convert a force appliedto the levers substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis X-X ofthe fluid discharge device 305 into a force along the longitudinal axisX-X of the fluid discharge device.

In the embodiment shown there are four abutment surfaces 322 arranged atan angle to the longitudinal axis X-X of the fluid discharge device 305and there are four actuating surfaces 324 a, 324 b arranged at an angleto the longitudinal axis X-X of the fluid discharge device 305

Each of the four abutment surfaces 322 formed on the collar 340 islocated for co-operation with a respective one of two actuating surfaces324 a, 324 b formed on each of the two levers 320, 321 and is formed asan integral part of the collar 340.

Each of the levers 320, 321 is U-shaped in cross-section and has firstand second flanges 325 a, 325 b joined together by a bridging portion326.

The first flange 325 a has an end portion forming a first actuatingsurface 324 a and the second flange 325 b has an end portion forming asecond actuating surface 324 b.

Operation of the fluid dispensing device 305 is as follows.

After inserting a fluid discharge device 308 into the housing 309 thefluid dispensing device is ready for use and the levers 320, 321 will bein the position shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13.

To use the fluid dispensing device 305 a user must first grasp the fluiddispensing device 305 so that contact is made with the levers 320, 321and in particular with the ribbed finger grips 346.

Provided that only a light pressure is applied to the lever 320 no fluidwill be discharged and the user is able to manoeuvre the dispensingnozzle 311 of the fluid dispensing device 305 into a body orifice suchas a nasal cavity into which fluid is required to be dispensed. This isbecause of the presence of the presence of a pre-load mechanism in theform of two ribs 370 formed on an inner surface of the body 306 againstwhich the end portions of each lever 320, 321 abut.

If the user then squeezes the two levers 320, 321 together withincreasing force the load required to make the levers 320, 321 ride overthe ribs 370 will eventually be exceeded and the interaction of theactuating surfaces 324 a, 324 b upon the inclined abutment surfaces 322will then cause the container 330 to be moved rapidly towards the nozzle311.

Because of the abutment between the end of the delivery tube 331 and theannular abutment 317 movement of the delivery tube 331 in the samedirection is prevented and therefore the delivery tube 331 is pushedinto the container 330 causing the plunger to be pushed into the pumpcasing, thereby moving the piston of the pump in the cylinder. Thiscauses fluid to be expelled from the cylinder into the delivery tube 331and then into the orifice 315 from where it is expelled as a fine sprayinto the body orifice.

Upon releasing the pressure applied to the levers 320, the delivery tube331 is urged out of the pump casing by the internal return spring whichcauses fluid to be drawn up the pick-up tube to re-fill the cylinder.The actuating surfaces 324 a, 324 b will slide along the abutmentsurfaces 322 in the opposite direction returning the levers 320, 321 toa ready for use position as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. If required anadditional return spring can be provided between the neck of thecontainer and the inner surface of the body.

The actuating procedure can then be repeated until all of the fluid inthe container has been used. However, only one or two doses of fluid arenormally administered at a time.

When the container 330 is empty a new fluid discharge device 308 isloaded into the body member 306 thereby restoring the fluid dispensingdevice 305 into a useable condition.

With particular reference to FIGS. 15 to 20 there is shown a secondarrangement according to the third embodiment.

The fluid dispensing device 405 comprises of a body structure includinga housing 409, a nozzle 411 extending out from an upper end of thehousing 409 for insertion into a body cavity, a fluid discharge device408 moveably housed within the housing 409, the fluid discharge device408 comprising a container 430 having a neck 429 at one end for storingthe fluid to be dispensed and a compression pump having a suction inletlocated within the container 430 and a discharge outlet 431 fortransferring fluid from the pump to the nozzle 411 and at least onelever 420, 421 to apply a force to an actuating means used to move thecontainer 430 towards the nozzle 411 so as to actuate the pump.

The lever two levers 420, 421 are pivotally supported at a lower endwithin the housing 409 and the actuating means is connected to the neck429 of the container 430 by a collar 440 engaged with the neck 429 ofthe container 430.

In more detail, the lower end of each lever 420 421 is pivotallyconnected to the housing 409 by means of a flexible strap 423 joiningthe lower ends of the two levers 420, 421. The body structure comprisesof a housing 409 and a plastic body member 406 both of which are mouldedfrom a suitable plastic material such as polypropylene. The nozzle 411is formed as an integral part of the body member 406 and the body member406 is fastened to the housing 409 so that the nozzle 411 projects fromthe upper end of the housing 409. The housing 409 has a front wall 412,a rear wall 413 and two opposing side walls 414 and at least one of thefront wall and the rear wall may have an aperture therein to view thelevel of the fluid in the container 430, and as shown the housing hasapertures 428 formed in both front and rear walls to check the level ofthe fluid in the container 430.

A protective end cap 407 for the nozzle 411 has an inner surface forengagement with the body 406 to protect the dispensing nozzle 411 and isconnected to the body by a flexible strap.

The housing has two apertures 427 formed therein from each of which, inuse, a part of a respective one of the levers 420, 421 projects.Therebeing an aperture 427 formed in each side wall 414 from which, inuse, a part of a respective one of the two levers 420 projects. The partof the lever 420 which projects from each aperture is a ribbed fingergrip 446. The finger grip is positioned near an upper end of each lever420, 421 so as to maximise the distance between the position where eachlever 420, 421 is pivotally connected and the position where a forcewill be applied by a user. This maximises the mechanical advantage ofthe levers 420, 421.

The discharge outlet from the pump is in the form of a tubular deliverytube 431 and a tubular guide in the form of an outlet tube 416 is formedwithin the nozzle 411 to align and locate the delivery tube 431correctly with respect to the nozzle 411.

An annular abutment 417 is formed at the end of the outlet tube 416. Theannular abutment 417 defines the entry to an orifice 415 through whichfluid can flow in use and is arranged for abutment with an end of thedelivery tube 431.

The fluid discharge device 408 is in most respects conventional and willonly be described briefly herein.

The fluid discharge device 408 has a hollow container 430 defining areservoir containing several doses of the fluid to be dispensed and acompression pump attached to one end of the container 430.

The container 430 as shown is made from a translucent or transparentmaterial such as plastic or glass.

The pump includes a plunger (not shown) slidingly engaged within a pumpcasing which defines a chamber (not shown) sized to accommodate a singledose of fluid. The plunger is attached to the tubular delivery tube 431which is arranged to extend from one end of the pump for co-operationwith the outlet tube 416 of the dispensing nozzle 411. The plungerincludes a piston (not shown) slidably supported in the chamber formedin the pump casing.

The fluid is discharged through a discharge channel defined by thetubular delivery tube 431 into the orifice 415 of the dispensing nozzle411.

The size of chamber is such that it accommodates a single dose of fluid,the diameter of the chamber and piston combined with the stroke of theplunger being such that a full stroke of the plunger in the chamber willproduce a change in volume equal to a single dose of fluid.

The pump casing is connected to the container 430 such that when thepiston is moved by an internal return spring (not shown) into a startposition a new dose of fluid is drawn into the cylinder via the suctioninlet in the form of a pick-up tube from the container 430 ready fordischarge.

The collar 440 can be connected to the neck 429 of the container 430 byany convenient means.

The fluid discharge device 405 has a longitudinal axis X-X and theactuating means comprises of at least one abutment surface 422 formed onthe collar 440 against which at least one actuating surface 424 a, 424 bformed at an upper end of each lever 420, 421 is arranged to react. Atleast one of the or each actuating surface 424 a, 424 b and the or eachabutment surface 422 is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axisX-X of the fluid discharge device 405 so as to convert a force appliedto the levers substantially transversely to the longitudinal axis X-X ofthe fluid discharge device 405 into a force along the longitudinal axisX-X of the fluid discharge device.

In the embodiment shown there are two abutment surfaces 422 arranged atan angle to the longitudinal axis X-X of the fluid discharge device 405and there are four actuating surfaces 424 a, 424 b, each of which is inthe form of a curved surface.

Each of the four abutment surfaces 422 formed on the collar 440 islocated for co-operation with two of the actuating surfaces 424 a, 424 bformed on each of the two levers 420, 421 and is formed as an integralpart of the collar 440.

Each of the levers 420, 421 is U-shaped in cross-section and has firstand second flanges 425 a, 425 b joined together by a bridging portion426.

The first flange 425 a has an end portion forming a first actuatingsurface 424 a and the second flange 425 b has an end portion forming asecond actuating surface 424 b.

Operation of the fluid dispensing device 405 is as follows.

After inserting a fluid discharge device 408 into the housing 409 thefluid dispensing device is ready for use and the levers 420, 421 will bein the position shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 18, 19 and 20.

To use the fluid dispensing device 405 a user must first grasp the fluiddispensing device 405 so that contact is made with the levers 420, 421and in particular with the ribbed finger grips 446.

Provided that only a light pressure is applied to the lever 420 no fluidwill be discharged and the user is able to manoeuvre the dispensingnozzle 411 of the fluid dispensing device 405 into a body orifice suchas a nasal cavity into which fluid is required to be dispensed. This isbecause of the presence of a pre-load mechanism (not shown) whichprevents movement of each lever 420, 421 until a pre-determined load hasbeen overcome.

If the user then squeezes the two levers 420, 421 together withincreasing force the pre-determined load will be overcome and theinteraction of the actuating surfaces 424 a, 424 b upon the inclinedabutment surfaces 422 will then cause the container 430 to be movedrapidly towards the nozzle 411. The provision of the pre-load mechanismensures that the levers move rapidly thereby ensure a short sharp sprayis produced having a large number of atomised particles.

Because of the abutment between the end of the delivery tube 431 and theannular abutment 417 movement of the delivery tube 431 in the samedirection is prevented and therefore the delivery tube 431 is pushedinto the container 430 causing the plunger to be pushed into the pumpcasing, thereby moving the piston of the pump in the cylinder. Thiscauses fluid to be expelled from the cylinder into the delivery tube 431and then into the orifice 415 from where it is expelled as a fine sprayinto the body orifice.

Upon releasing the pressure applied to the levers 420, the delivery tube431 is urged out of the pump casing by the internal return spring whichcauses fluid to be drawn up the pick-up tube to re-fill the cylinder.The actuating surfaces 424 a, 424 b will slide along the abutmentsurfaces 422 in the opposite direction returning the levers 420, 421 toa ready for use position as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. If required anadditional return spring can be provided between the neck of thecontainer and the inner surface of the body.

The actuating procedure can then be repeated until all of the fluid inthe container has been used. However, only one or two doses of fluid arenormally administered at a time.

When the container 430 is empty a new fluid discharge device 408 isloaded into the body member 406 thereby restoring the fluid dispensingdevice 405 into a useable condition.

The term ‘neck of the container’ as meant herein is the end of thecontainer from which extends the pump delivery tube. It will beappreciated that the collar could be directly connected to the neck ofthe container itself or could be attached to a flange or other memberused to fix the pump to the neck of the container.

It will be appreciated that by connecting the or each lever to thecontainer at the opposite end to where the lever is pivotally supportedprovides the maximum leverage or mechanical advantage.

It is envisaged that the fluid dispensing device could be sold as twoseparate items. A fluid discharge device could be sold for fitment intoa housing assembly and a housing assembly could be sold into which afluid discharge device could be fitted.

It will be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose ofillustration only and the invention extends to modifications, variationsand improvements thereto.

For example although the two embodiments describe in detail anarrangement in which the two levers act upon a base portion of thecontainer and push it towards the nozzle it would also possible toarrange for the two leavers to pull the container towards the nozzle.The invention is not therefore to be construed as being limited solelyto a device that pushes the container towards the nozzle.

It may be appreciated that any of the parts of the dispenser devicewhich contact the fluid may be coated with materials such asfluoropolymer materials (e.g. PTFE or FEP) which reduce the tendency ofmedicament to adhere thereto. Any movable parts may also have coatingsapplied thereto which enhance their desired movement characteristics.Frictional coatings may therefore be applied to enhance frictionalcontact and lubricants (e.g. silicone oil) used to reduce frictionalcontact as necessary.

Administration of medicament may be indicated for the treatment of mild,moderate or severe acute or chronic symptoms or for prophylactictreatment. It will be appreciated that the precise dose administeredwill depend on the age and condition of the patient, the particularmedicament used and the frequency of administration and will ultimatelybe at the discretion of the attendant physician. Embodiments areenvisaged in which combinations of medicaments are employed.

Appropriate medicaments may thus be selected from, for example,analgesics, e.g., codeine, dihydromorphine, ergotamine, fentanyl ormorphine; anginal preparations, e.g., diltiazem; antiallergics, e.g.,cromoglycate (eg as the sodium salt), ketotifen or nedocromil (eg as thesodium salt); antiinfectives e.g., cephalosporins, penicillins,streptomycin, sulphonamides, tetracyclines and pentamidine;antihistamines, e.g., methapyrilene; anti-inflammatories, e.g.,beclomethasone (eg as the dipropionate ester), fluticasone (eg as thepropionate ester), flunisolide, budesonide, rofleponide, mometasone (egas the furoate ester), ciclesonide, triamcinolone (eg as the acetonide),6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-propionyloxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-(2-oxo-tetrahydro-furan-3-yl) ester or 6α, 9α-Difluoro-17α-[(2-furanylcarbonyl)oxy]-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioic acid S-fluoromethylester; antitussives, e.g., noscapine; bronchodilators, e.g., albuterol(eg as free base or sulphate), salmeterol (eg as xinafoate), ephedrine,adrenaline, fenoterol (eg as hydrobromide), formoterol (eg as fumarate),isoprenaline, metaproterenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine,pirbuterol (eg as acetate), reproterol (eg as hydrochloride), rimiterol,terbutaline (eg as sulphate), isoetharine, tulobuterol or4-hydroxy-7-[2-[[2-[[3-(2-phenylethoxy)propyl]sulfonyl]ethyl]amino]ethyl-2(3H)-benzothiazolone; PDE4 inhibitors eg cilomilast or roflumilast;leukotriene antagonists eg montelukast, praniukast and zafirlukast;[adenosine 2a agonists, eg2R,3R,4S,5R)-2-[6-Amino-2-(1S-hydroxymethyl-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-purin-9-yl]-5-(2-ethyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-tetrahydro-furan-3,4-diol(e.g. as maleate)]*; [α4 integrin inhibitors eg(2S)-3-[4-({[4-(aminocarbonyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl}oxy)phenyl]-2-[((2S)-4-methyl-2-{[2-(2-methylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}pentanoyl)amino]propanoic acid (e.g as free acid orpotassium salt)]*, diuretics, e.g., amiloride; anticholinergics, e.g.,ipratropium (eg as bromide), tiotropium, atropine or oxitropium;hormones, e.g., cortisone, hydrocortisone or prednisolone; xanthines,e.g., aminophylline, choline theophyllinate, lysine theophyllinate ortheophylline; therapeutic proteins and peptides, e.g., insulin orglucagons. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that, whereappropriate, the medicaments may be used in the form of salts, (e.g., asalkali metal or amine salts or as acid addition salts) or as esters(e.g., lower alkyl esters) or as solvates (e.g., hydrates) to optimisethe activity and/or stability of the medicament and/or to minimise thesolubility of the medicament in the propellant.

Preferably, the medicament is an anti-inflammatory compound for thetreatment of inflammatory disorders or diseases such as asthma andrhinitis.

In one aspect, the medicament is a glucocorticoid compound, which hasanti-inflammatory properties. One suitable glucocorticoid compound hasthe chemical name:6α,9α-Difluoro-17α-(1-oxopropoxy)-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester (fluticasone propionate). Another suitableglucocorticoid compound has the chemical name:6α,9α-difluoro-17α-[(2-furanylcarbonyl)oxy]-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester. A further suitable glucocorticoid compoundhas the chemical name:6α,9α-Difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-17α-[(4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-5-carbonyl)oxy]-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester.

Other suitable anti-inflammatory compounds include NSAIDs e.g. PDE4inhibitors, leukotriene antagonists, iNOS inhibitors, tryptase andelastase inhibitors, beta-2 integrin antagonists and adenosine 2aagonists.

The medicament is formulated as any suitable fluid formulation,particularly a solution (e.g. aqueous) formulation or a suspensionformulation, optionally containing other pharmaceutically acceptableadditive components.

Suitable formulations (e.g. solution or suspension) may be stabilised(e.g. using hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide) by appropriateselection of pH. Typically, the pH will be adjusted to between 4.5 and7.5, preferably between 5.0 and 7.0, especially around 6 to 6.5.

Suitable formulations (e.g. solution or suspension) may comprise one ormore excipients. By the term “excipient”, herein, is meant substantiallyinert materials that are nontoxic and do not interact with othercomponents of a composition in a deleterious manner including, but notlimited to, pharmaceutical grades of carbohydrates, organic andinorganic salts, polymers, amino acids, phospholipids, wetting agents,emulsifiers, surfactants, poloxamers, pluronics, and ion exchangeresins, and combinations thereof.

Suitable carbohydrates include monosaccharides include fructose;disaccharides, such as, but not limited to lactose, and combinations andderivatives thereof; polysaccharides, such as, but not limited to,cellulose and combinations and derivatives thereof; oligosaccharides,such as, but not limited to, dextrins, and combinations and derivativesthereof; polyols, such as but not limited to sorbitol, and combinationsand derivatives thereof.

Suitable organic and inorganic salts include sodium or calciumphosphates, magnesium stearate, and combinations and derivativesthereof.

Suitable polymers include natural biodegradable protein polymers,including, but not limited to, gelatin and combinations and derivativesthereof; natural biodegradable polysaccharide polymers, including, butnot limited to, chitin and starch, crosslinked starch and combinationsand derivatives thereof; semisynthetic biodegradable polymers,including, but not limited to, derivatives of chitosan; and syntheticbiodegradable polymers, including, but not limited to, polyethyleneglycols (PEG), polylactic acid (PLA), synthetic polymers including butnot limited to polyvinyl alcohol and combinations and derivativesthereof;

Suitable amino acids include non-polar amino acids, such as leucine andcombinations and derivatives thereof. Suitable phospholipids includelecithins and combinations and derivatives thereof.

Suitable wetting agents, surfactants and/or emulsifiers include gumacacia, cholesterol, fatty acids including combinations and derivativesthereof. Suitable poloxamers and/or Pluronics include poloxamer 188,Pluronic® F-108, and combinations and derivations thereof. Suitable ionexchange resins include amberlite IR120 and combinations and derivativesthereof;

Suitable solution formulations may comprise a solubilising agent such asa surfactant. Suitable surfactants includeα-[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl]-ω-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)polymers including those of the Triton series e.g. Triton X-100, TritonX-114 and Triton X-305 in which the X number is broadly indicative ofthe average number of ethoxy repeating units in the polymer (typicallyaround 7-70, particularly around 7-30 especially around 7-10) and4-(1,1,3,3 tetramethylbutyl)phenol polymers with formaldehyde andoxirane such as those having a relative molecular weight of 3500-5000especially 4000-4700, particularly Tyloxapol. The surfactant istypically employed in a concentration of around 0.5-10%, preferablyaround 2-5% w/w based on weight of formulation.

Suitable solution formulations may also comprise hydroxyl containingorganic co-solvating agents include glycols such as polyethylene glycols(eg PEG 200) and propylene glycol; sugars such as dextrose; and ethanol.Dextrose and polyethylene glycol (eg PEG 200) are preferred,particularly dextrose. Propylene glycol is preferably used in an amountof no more than 20%, especially no more than 10% and is most preferablyavoided altogether. Ethanol is preferably avoided. The hydroxylcontaining organic co-solvating agents are typically employed at aconcentration of 0.1-20% e.g. 0.5-10%, e.g. around 1-5% w/w based onweight of formulation.

Suitable solution formulations may also comprise solublising agents suchas polysorbate, glycerine, benzyl alcohol, polyoxyethylene castor oilsderivatives, polyethylene glycol and polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers (e.g.Cremophors, Brij).

Suitable solution formulations may also comprise one or more of thefollowing components: viscosity enhancing agents; preservatives; andisotonicity adjusting agents.

Suitable viscosity enhancing agents include carboxymethylcellulose,veegum, tragacanth, bentonite, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose,hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, poloxamers (eg. poloxamer407), polyethylene glycols, alginates xanthym gums, carageenans andcarbopols.

Suitable preservatives include quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g.benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, cetrimide andcetylpyridinium chloride), mercurial agents (e.g. phenylmercuricnitrate, phenylmercuric acetate and thimerosal), alcoholic agents (e.g.chlorobutanol, phenylethyl alcohol and benzyl alcohol), antibacterialesters (e.g. esters of para-hydroxybenzoic acid), chelating agents suchas disodium edetate (EDTA) and other anti-microbial agents such aschlorhexidine, chlorocresol, sorbic acid and its salts and polymyxin.

Suitable isotonicity adjusting agents act such as to achieve isotonicitywith body fluids (e.g. fluids of the nasal cavity), resulting in reducedlevels of irritancy associated with many nasal formulations. Examples ofsuitable isotonicity adjusting agents are sodium chloride, dextrose andcalcium chloride.

Suitable suspension formulations comprise an aqueous suspension ofparticulate medicament and optionally suspending agents, preservatives,wetting agents or isotonicity adjusting agents.

The particulate medicament suitably has a mass mean diameter (MMD) ofless than 20 μm, preferably between 0.5-10 μm, especially between 1-5μm. If particle size reduction is necessary, this may be achieved bytechniques such as micronisation and/or microfluidisation.

Suitable suspending agents include carboxymethylcellulose, veegum,tragacanth, bentonite, methylcellulose and polyethylene glycols.

Suitable wetting agents function to wet the particles of medicament tofacilitate dispersion thereof in the aqueous phase of the composition.Examples of wetting agents that can be used are fatty alcohols, estersand ethers. Preferably, the wetting agent is a hydrophilic, non-ionicsurfactant, most preferably polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate(supplied as the branded product Polysorbate 80).

Suitable preservatives and isotonicity adjusting agents are as describedabove in elation to solution formulations.

The dispensing device herein is suitable for dispensing fluid medicamentformulations for the treatment of inflammatory and/or allergicconditions of the nasal passages such as rhinitis e.g. seasonal andperennial rhinitis as well as other local inflammatory conditions suchas asthma, COPD and dermatitis.

A suitable dosing regime would be for the patient to inhale slowlythrough the nose subsequent to the nasal cavity being cleared. Duringinhalation the formulation would be applied to one nostril while theother is manually compressed. This procedure would then be repeated forthe other nostril. Typically, one or two inhalations per nostril wouldbe administered by the above procedure up to three times each day,ideally once daily. Each dose, for example, may deliver 5 μg, 50 μg, 100μg, 200 μg or 250 μg of active medicament. The precise dosage is eitherknown or readily ascertainable by those skilled in the art.

The application of which this description and claims form part may beused as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application.The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any featureor combination of features described therein. They may take the form ofproduct, method or use claims and may include, by way of example andwithout limitation, one or more of the following claims.

1. A fluid dispensing device for spraying a fluid into a body cavitycomprising (a) a body structure including a housing, (b) a nozzleextending out from an upper end of the housing for insertion into a bodycavity, (c) a fluid discharge device moveably housed within the housing,the fluid discharge device comprising (1) a container for storing thefluid to be dispensed having a neck at one end and a compression pumphaving (i) a suction inlet located within the container and (ii) adischarge outlet extending out from the neck of the container fortransferring fluid from the pump to the nozzle and (iii) at least onelever to apply a force to an actuating means used to move the containertowards the nozzle so as to actuate the pump wherein the or each leveris pivotally supported at a lower end within the housing and theactuating means connects to the neck of the container.
 2. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 1 in which the actuating meansconnects to the neck of the container by a collar engaging with the neckof the container.
 3. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 inwhich there are two opposing levers each of which is pivotally supportednear a lower end of the housing and is arranged to act upon theactuating means so as to urge the container towards the nozzle when thetwo levers are squeezed together by a user.
 4. A fluid dispensing deviceas claimed in claim 1 in which the or each lever is pivotally connectedto part of the housing.
 5. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim2 in which the actuating means comprises at least one elongate memberinterposed between a position of connection to the collar and a positionof interaction with a respective lever.
 6. A fluid dispensing device asclaimed in claim 5 in which the position of interaction is a positionwhere an end portion of each elongate member reacts against a stopassociated with the respective lever.
 7. A fluid dispensing device asclaimed in claim 6 in which the stop is a projection on a surface of therespective lever facing the container.
 8. A fluid dispensing device asclaimed in claim 7 in which the projection is formed as an integral partof the respective lever.
 9. A fluid dispensing device as claimed inclaim 6 which the stop is a recess formed in a surface of the respectivelever facing the container with which the end portion of the elongatemember is engaged.
 10. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 5in which each elongate member is formed as an integral part of thecollar.
 11. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 5 in whichthere are two elongate members interposed between each lever and thecollar.
 12. A fluid dispensing device of claim 5 in which the containerhas a longitudinal axis and each elongate member has a longitudinal axisextending between the position of connection to the collar and theposition of interaction with the respective lever, the longitudinal axisof each elongate member being arranged at an included angle with respectto the longitudinal axis of the container such that the respectiveelongate member diverges away from the longitudinal axis of thecontainer as it extends from the position of connection to the collar tothe position of interaction with the respective lever.
 13. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 12 in which, when the or eachlever is moved to cause the container to be moved towards the nozzle,the included angle between the longitudinal axis of each elongate memberand the longitudinal axis of the container is reduced.
 14. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 5 in which, when each lever ismoved to cause the container to be moved towards the nozzle, eachelongate member associated therewith is subjected to elastic bending.15. A fluid dispensing device as in claim 1 in which the actuating meansis at least one resilient flexible member connected to an upper end ofeach lever so as to hold the or each resilient flexible member in anupwardly bowed state.
 16. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim15 in which the or each resilient flexible member is a leaf spring. 17.A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 15 in which the lower endof the or each lever is pivotally connected to the housing.
 18. A fluiddispensing device of claim 15 in which the or each resilient flexiblemember is connected to the neck of the container by abutment of an uppersurface of the or each resilient flexible member against a collarattached to the neck of the container.
 19. A fluid dispensing device ofclaim 15 in which a stop means is provided to limit rotational movementof each lever away from the container so as to maintain the or eachresilient flexible member in a bowed state.
 20. A fluid dispensingdevice of claim 15 in which there is one lever pivotally supported at alower end within the housing and the or each resilient flexible memberis connected at one end to the upper end of the lever and is connectedat an opposite end to part of the body structure of the fluid dispensingdevice.
 21. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 20 in whichthe part of the body structure is the housing.
 22. A fluid dispensingdevice of claim 15 in which a stop means is provided to limit rotationalmovement of each lever away from the container so as to maintain the oreach resilient flexible member in a bowed state, and in which there isone lever pivotally supported at a lower end within the housing and theor each resilient flexible member is connected at one end to the upperend of the lever and is connected at an opposite end to part of the bodystructure of the fluid dispensing device, or in which the part of thebody structure is the housing, and in which the stop is positioned suchthat when the lever is displaced fully from the container so as to restagainst the stop the linear distance between the upper end of the leverand the position of connection of the or each resilient flexible memberto the part of the body structure is less than the un-bowed length ofthe or each resilient flexible member.
 23. A fluid dispensing device ofclaim 20 in which the fluid dispensing device further includes an endcap to protect the nozzle and the upper end of the lever is adapted toautomatically open the end cap when the lever is moved to cause thecontainer to be moved towards the nozzle.
 24. A fluid dispensing deviceas claimed in claim 23 in which the upper end is adapted by means of atoothed portion formed on the upper end of the lever for engagement witha complementary toothed portion on the end cap.
 25. A fluid dispensingof claim 15 in which there are two levers each of which is pivotallysupported at a lower end within the housing and the or each resilientflexible member is connected at one end to the upper end of one of thetwo levers and is connected at an opposite end to the upper end of theother of the two levers.
 26. A fluid dispensing device as claimed inclaim 25 in which the or each resilient flexible member and the twolevers are formed as a single integral part.
 27. A fluid dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 15, in which a stop means is provided tolimit rotational movement of each lever away from the container so as tomaintain the or each resilient flexible member in a bowed state, and inwhich there are two levers each of which is pivotally supported at alower end within the housing and the or each resilient flexible memberis connected at one end to the upper end of one of the two levers and isconnected at an opposite end to the upper end of the other of the twolevers, or in which the or each resilient flexible member and the twolevers are formed as a single integral part and in which each stop ispositioned such that when the two levers are displaced fully from thecontainer, so as to rest against their respective stops, the lineardistance between the upper ends of the two levers is less than theun-bowed length of the or each resilient flexible member.
 28. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 2 in which the fluid dischargedevice has a longitudinal axis and the actuating means comprises of atleast one abutment surface formed on the collar against which at leastone actuating surface formed at an upper end of the or each lever isarranged to react wherein at least one of the or each actuating surfaceand the or each abutment surface is arranged at an angle to thelongitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device so as to convert a forceapplied to the or each lever substantially transversely to thelongitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device into a force along thelongitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device.
 29. A fluid dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 28 in which a pre-load means is provided toprevent actuation of the compression pump until a pre-determined forceis applied to the or each lever.
 30. A fluid dispensing device asclaimed in claim 28 in which the or each abutment surface is arranged atan angle to the longitudinal axis of the fluid discharge device.
 31. Afluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 30 in which the or eachactuating surface is arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis ofthe fluid discharge device.
 32. A fluid dispensing device as claimed inclaim 30 in which the or each actuating surface is a curved surface. 33.A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 28 in which there areplural abutment surfaces formed on the collar each being located forco-operation with a respective one of two actuating surfaces formed onthe or each lever.
 34. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 33in which each lever is U-shaped in cross-section having first and secondflanges joined together by a bridging portion.
 35. A fluid dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 33 in which the first flange has an endportion forming a first actuating surface and the second flange has anend portion forming a second actuating surface.
 36. A fluid dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 28 in which each lever is pivotally supportedat a lower end within the housing by a pivotal connection between thelower end of the respective lever and part of the body structure.
 37. Afluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 36 in which the part of thebody structure is the housing.
 38. A fluid dispensing device as claimedin claim 28 in which each lever is pivotally supported at a lower endwithin the housing by a flexible strap joining the lower ends of the twolevers.
 39. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 28 in whichthe housing has a front wall, a rear wall and two opposing side wallsand at least one of the front wall and the rear wall has an aperturetherein to view the level of the fluid in the container.
 40. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 28 in which the body structurecomprises of a plastic housing and a plastic body member.
 41. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 39 in which the nozzle is formedas an integral part of the plastic body member.
 42. A fluid dispensingdevice as claimed in claim 40 in which the plastic body member isfastened to the housing so that the nozzle projects from the upper endof the housing.
 43. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 28 inwhich the housing has two apertures formed therein from each of which,in use, a part of a respective one of the levers projects.
 44. A fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 28 in which the body has twoapertures formed therein from each of which, in use, a part of arespective one of the levers projects.
 45. A fluid dispensing device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein the container contains a volume of fluidmedicament formulation.
 46. A fluid dispensing device as claimed inclaim 45 wherein said fluid medicament formulation is in the form of asolution formulation.
 47. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim45 wherein said fluid medicament formulation is in the form of asuspension formulation.
 48. A fluid dispensing device as claimed inclaim 45 wherein the fluid medicament formulation comprises ananti-inflammatory medicament compound.
 49. A fluid dispensing device asclaimed in claim 48 wherein said medicament compound is a glucocorticoidcompound.
 50. A fluid dispensing device as claimed in claim 49 whereinsaid glucocorticoid compound is selected from the group consisting of6α,9α-Difluoro-17α-(1-oxopropoxy)-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester;6α,9α-difluoro-17α-[(2-furanylcarbonyl)oxy]-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester; and6α,9α-Difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-17α-[(4-methyl-1,3-thiazole-5-carbonyl)oxy]-3-oxo-androsta-1,4-diene-17β-carbothioicacid S-fluoromethyl ester.
 51. A fluid dispensing device as claimed inclaim 48 wherein said medicament compound is selected from the groupconsisting of PDE4 inhibitors, leukotriene antagonists, iNOS inhibitors,tryptase and elastase inhibitors, beta-2 integrin antagonists andadenosine 2a agonists.
 52. (canceled)
 53. A housing assembly for a fluiddispensing device as claimed in claim 1 comprising a housing formoveably supporting a discharge device, a nozzle extending from an upperend of the housing for insertion into a body cavity and at least onelever to apply, in use, a force to the fluid discharging device so as toactuate the fluid discharge device and supply fluid to the nozzlewherein the or each lever is pivotally supported at a lower end withinthe housing.
 54. An assembly as claimed in claim 53 in which the or eachlever is pivotally supported at a lower end within the housing by apivotal connection between the lower end of the respective lever and thehousing.
 55. An assembly as claimed in claim 53 having two levers inwhich each lever is pivotally supported at a lower end within thehousing by a flexible strap joining the lower ends of said two levers.56-58. (canceled)